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Chapter 21

           Astentorianvoicewasheardcallingoutthesimplemonosyllable

           "Ring!"

           Threeorfourdarkfigurescouldbeseenstandingbytheshorntrunkonwhichswungthetavernbell.Thecommandinstantlysettheminmotion;and,alongwiththeoscillationoftheirarmsdimlyseenthroughthedarknesscouldbeheardthesonoroustonesofabell.Thatbell,whosesoundshadbeenhithertoheardonlyassymbolsofjoycallingmentogethertopartakeofthatwhichperpetuateslifewasnowlistenedtoasasummonsofdeath!

           The"ringingin"wasofshortduration.Thebellhadmadelessthanascoreofvibrations,whenthemenengagedattheropesawthattheirserviceswerenolongerrequired.Thedisappearanceoftheduellists,whohadrushedinsidethesaloon,thequick,sharpcrackingofpistols;theshiveringofbrokenglass,admonishedtheringersthattheirswasbutasuperfluousnoise;and,droppingtherope,theystoodliketherestofthecrowd,listeningtotheconflictinside.

           Noeyessavethoseofthecombatantsthemselveswerewitnessestothatstrangeduel.

           Atthefirstdongofthebellbothcombatantshadre-enteredtheroom.Neithermadeanattempttoskulkoutside.Tohavedonesowouldhavebeenaruintoreputation.Ahundredeyeswereuponthem;andthespectatorsunderstoodtheconditionsoftheduelthatneitherwastofirebeforecrossingthethreshold.

           Onceinside,theconflictcommenced,thefirstshotsfillingtheroomwithsmoke.

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